Blind and visually impaired users’ acceptance of digital libraries in the mobile environment

Abstract

Although digital library (DL) acceptance has been widely examined, the acceptance of mobile DLs among blind and visually impaired (BVI) users remains underexplored, particularly regarding the role of accessibility. Extending the technology acceptance model (TAM) and the unified theory acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) frameworks, this study developed and validated the BVI users’ DL acceptance model (BVI-DLAM) in mobile environments. The study employed multiple data collection methods, mainly a survey of 120 BVI users using a variety of mobile devices. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling was conducted to estimate the structural model. This model outlines the interrelationships among facilitating conditions (FC), accessibility, performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), satisfaction, and behavioral intention (BI). FC exerts a significant positive impact on accessibility, which strongly affects PE and EE, thus positively influencing user satisfaction. Moreover, this model reveals that PE and EE do not have a direct effect on BI. Instead, their influence is fully mediated by BVI users’ satisfaction. The significance of the BVI-DLAM model lies in advancing DL acceptance research by positioning accessibility as a central construct and providing a user-centered framework for understanding BVI users’ acceptance of mobile DLs. Based on the model, the practical implications focus on how to improve the design of mobile DLs to enhance BVI user acceptance.